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‘Best’ XI hint, Grav as the No.6 – 5 talking points from Liverpool 4-1 Sevilla

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Liverpool delivered an impressive pre-season win over Sevilla at Anfield on Sunday afternoon and there are plenty of talking points from the game.

Liverpool 4-1 Sevilla

Pre Season (4), Anfield
August 11, 2024

Goals: Jota 30′, Diaz 39, 45+1, Nyoni 68′; Peque 66′

Ipswich lineup hinted at

There’s now less than a week to go until Liverpool kick off their first Premier Leaguecampaign under Arne Slot. This Sevilla game at Anfield felt like the dress rehearsal ahead of the Reds’ visit to Ipswich on Saturday.

With that game being so close it would be fair to presume that the new Liverpool head coach picked what he perceives as his strongest starting XI at the moment and the one he is likely to pick in the club’s opening game.

This would mean Jarell Quansah being selected over Ibrahima Konate, and Ryan Gravenberch also coming into the side to play in the no.6 role.

Given Andy Robertson is not 100% fit either (although he will feature against Las Palmas later in the day), Kostas Tsimikas could also be expected to start Liverpool’s opening Premier League game.

A full 90 minutes for Jarell Quansah, Kostas Tsimikas, Dominik Szoboszlai, Mo Salah and Diogo Jota.

Gravenberch in the no.6 role

We still don’t quite know who will be Slot’s first choice no.6 at Liverpool in the long-term. Against Sevilla, it was Gravenberch who was trialled in the position and Dutchman will be pleased by his efforts.

He controlled the middle of the park, dropping deep to pick up the ball to help in the early phase of the build-up but also providing some defensive stability.

As per FotMob he completed 95% of his attempted passes, misplacing just three passes in total from 56.

It’s important to mention that while this was a good audition from the Dutch international but it does not negate the need for Liverpool to invest in a more natural holding midfielder.

Hopefully, there will be more positive news on that front next week.

New (old) role for Trent

During Jurgen Klopp‘s final season we grew accustomed to Trent Alexander-Arnoldinverting into the middle of the park.

But in these early glimpses of him under Slot, the Liverpool full-back was far more reserved. There were less instances of Alexander-Arnold inverting, with the no.66 keeping closer to the right flank instead.

We also saw more incisive and short passes from Alexander-Arnold, although there were still instances of him making his trademark long switches at the right moments.

It’s all about balance and in this instance it seems like Slot has found how to utilise the best of Alexander-Arnold’s skillset with the 25-year-old having a great game.

The emergence of the no.10?

Liverpool’s third goal of the match was yet another moment in which Slot’s advanced midfielder proved to be decisive.

During pre-season it’s been Harvey Elliottwho has been used in that role to great effect with the 21-year-old registering two assists in Liverpool’s tour to the USA.

This time around it was Dominik Szoboszlaiplaying in the advanced role and managed to get in behind Sevilla’s defence with a brilliant forward run as part of an ‘up back and through’ combination from Alisson‘s excellent pass out.

Breaking into the box and set-up by Mohamed Salah, just as it was against Real Betis, this time around Szoboszlai turned provider squaring the ball across to Luis Diaz.

The ideal Slot forward

 

Diogo Jota was at it again with a sublime finish for Liverpool’s opening goal of the game. Later, he would turn provider setting-up Luis Diaz for the Colombian’s first goal of the game.

It’s now two assists and one goal for Jota in three pre-season matches and a total of 200 minutes played.

Diogo Jota was at it again with a sublime finish for Liverpool’s opening goal of the game. Later, he would turn provider setting-up Luis Diaz for the Colombian’s first goal of the game.

It’s now two assists and one goal for Jota in three pre-season matches and a total of 200 minutes played.

He’s averaging a goal contribution every 66 minutes under Slot so far and while these are early days it does feel like he’s the more ideal forward in Slot’s system.

The Portuguese international will drop back, he will press the opposition and he will also heavily involve himself in the build-up, too.

It remains to be seen, but unless injury wreak further havoc on Jota’s Liverpool career – he could be set for a fruitful season ahead.

It’s pre-season, so nothing to go overboard on either way, but the early signs are certainly good and Slot’s style of play is certainly being delivered.

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PRESIDENT TINUBU VOWS SEVERE PUNISHMENT FOR PLATEAU ATTACKERS, COMMISERATES WITH FAMILIES OF VICTIMS

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STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU VOWS SEVERE PUNISHMENT FOR PLATEAU ATTACKERS, COMMISERATES WITH FAMILIES OF VICTIMS

President Bola Tinubu has promised that the gunmen who killed many people in communities in Plateau State will be apprehended and face severe punishment under the law.

The President extended his condolences to the families of the victims in Ruwi, Hurti, and Tadai communities in Bokkos Local Government and those from Manguna and Dafo villages, where the gunmen launched brutal attacks, resulting in the loss of lives and the destruction of properties.

President Tinubu commiserated with the Government of Plateau State and Governor Caleb Mutfwang, urging the affected communities to cooperate with the authorities and security agencies by volunteering information to catch the perpetrators and secure their communities.

He assured Governor Mutfwang of his support in ending this spate of wanton bloodletting on the Plateau.

He directed the National Emergency Management Agency to work with state authorities to provide necessary support to the victims and bring immediate relief to the affected communities and those wounded during the attacks. NEMA will work closely with the state to ensure that affected communities rebuild and recover.

The President stated: “The report of another violent attack in communities in Plateau State by mindless gunmen saddens me. The latest attacks on defenceless citizens are unacceptable. I have directed security agencies to hunt down the attackers, and they will face severe punishment when apprehended. These intermittent attacks should have no place in our country at a time when we are working so hard to restore peace and order in all parts of our country.

This unfortunate incident will never dampen and slow us down in our duty to protect every Nigerian citizen. Instead, we will work harder to exterminate forces of evil wherever they are lurking in our country.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families and all those affected by this senseless violence.  No community should have to endure such tragedy. We all must unite to foster peace and stability. I urge all citizens—regardless of ethnic, religious, or political affiliations—to uphold the shared humanity that binds us all, embrace peace and reject retaliation.”

 

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

April 5, 2025

 

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Federal High Court in Abuja has set April 10 as the date to hear a case asking for the removal of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as Sole Administrator of Rivers State.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has set April 10 as the date to hear a case asking for the removal of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as Sole Administrator of Rivers State.

The case, which lists President Bola Tinubu as the first defendant, has been assigned to Justice James Omotosho.

Other defendants include the Attorney-General of the Federation, Ibas and the Attorneys-General of all 36 states, making them the 2nd to 39th defendants.

The suit was filed by an Abuja-based lawyer, Johnmary Jideobi.

He is asking the court to cancel all actions and decisions taken by Ibas in his role as Sole Administrator.

He called these actions unconstitutional and without legal backing.

The lawyer wants the court to give a permanent order stopping President Tinubu or anyone under him from removing or interfering with the tenure of any state governor or deputy governor.

He also seeks a similar order stopping the President from appointing any Sole Administrator to lead a state in the country.

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Uzodimma congratulates Christian Voice Newspaper on 25th Anniversary …As his Commissioner, Chief Press Secretary, others bag distinguished media personality award

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GOVERNMENT OF IMO STATE

PRESS RELEASE

Uzodimma congratulates Christian Voice Newspaper on 25th Anniversary

…As his Commissioner, Chief Press Secretary, others bag distinguished media personality award

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has felicitated with the Publisher, Board, management and staff of Christian Voice, a publication of the Anglican Diocese of Owerri, on her 25 years existence in the media industry.

Speaking at the event held at St. James Anglican Church Uzii, Owerri, Governor Uzodimma who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, specifically congratulated the media organisation for staying the course in media practice for 25 years.

The Governor commended the Anglican Diocese of Owerri, particularly the Diocesan, Rt. Rev. Dr. Chukwuma Oparah and the dedicated staff of Christian Voice for their commitment, resilience, hard work and team play which he said has sustained the newspaper as a beacon of Christian journalism.

Ekomaru noted that her principal is a “media friendly Governor” and assured of government’s preparedness to sustain the support to the media.

She however urged media practitioners, and Christian Voice staff in particular, to always uphold journalistic integrity and propagate Christian values through the newspaper.

Delivering the sermon during the Church Service to mark the occasion, Venerable Chidi Nlemchukwu reflected on the motto of the Christian Voice Newspaper, “Proclaiming God’s Truth to Set the People Free,” and maintained that “truth is the only thing that sets people free from bondage.”

Venerable Nlemchi juxtaposes truth to lies, pointing out that “whereas lies may provide instant relief, but definitely it brings pains afterwards.”

He then appealed to Christians to always proclaim God’s truth despite the threats, and warned that lies will keep us in bondage of the devil.

Receiving the Award of Distinguished Media Icon, the Chief Press Secretary/Special Adviser, Media to the Governor, Sir Oguwike Nwachuku thanked the Anglican Diocese of Owerri and the Christian Voice for finding him worthy of the recognition.

He also thanked Governor Uzodimma for providing him with the platform to deepen his service to the public, an opportunity he said made it possible for the organisers to discover the qualities that made them to honour him.

He also commended the newspaper company for standing firm on the truth in their reportage as well as providing the platform for the spread of the gospel, and pledged his continued support to the Church and it’s media outfit.

Some of the Award recipients include H.R.H, Eze George Anoka, Imo State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief (Mrs.) Ruby Emele, Dr. Fidel Onyeneke, Apostle Lambert Ojukwu and numerous others.

The Deputy Governor’s husband, Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru was among the dignitaries who graced the occasion.

Oguwike Nwachuku
Chief Press Secretary/ Special Adviser, Media to the Governor
April 5, 2025.

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